Ballingarry’s late rally was not enough to secure a place in the last four when they were denied by Shannon Rovers in a keenly contested Clean Ireland Recycling Junior A quarter final at Templemore last Saturday.

Trailing by five points 2-5 to 0-6 with a quarter of an hour remaining it looked as if the south champions were heading for the exit gates but things changed when Ballingarry introduced Liam Cahill to full back and brought Michael Ivors into the half forward line which allowed Philip Ivors move from full back to midfield and allowing Dickie Norton and Adrian Cleere push the boys in maroon into gear outscoring their opponents 0-5 to 0-1 before time ran out.

Earlier in the game, Ballingarry were slow to get off the ground as they met a lively Rovers side that had 1-2 in the bag by the 15th minute. Their star player George Hannigan led the attack as he weaved through the Ballingarry cover forcing the south reps to foul. As a result, John Flannery punished them with his accuracy and he had Rovers ahead with a third minute free. Four minutes later, a goal from full forward, Eamon Costello was a cause for concern. However it wasn’t for the want of trying as Ballingarry created a number of chances but missed the target three times in that opening bout.

Ballingarry continued to meet the challenge with continued grafting by Adrian Cleere, Donal Shelly, Gary Ivors and James Logue but they faced a well marshalled Rovers defence in Julian O’Halloran, Jack O’Sullivan, John Flannery as George Hannigan continued to impress and Rovers eventually hit back with a second Flannery free in the 15th minute.

The response from Ballingarry was immediate. A well directed ball by Dickie Norton put Adrian Cleere through for their opening point. The quick running Eamon Tuohy added a second point in the 17th minute and after they missed two ideal chances to narrow the gap, their persistence paid off with further points by Tuohy and a brilliant Adrian Cleere score in the 23rd minute.

But George Hannigan was a constant torment to the Ballingarry side and the Ballingarry defence was prone to fouling again and the latest free was converted by John Flannery. Ian Ivors hit back with a point before the teams headed for the dressing rooms with Rovers leading 1-3 to 0-5.

The third quarter belonged to Rovers. Three minutes after the restart they stretched their lead with an Austin Tierney goal after the centre forward was first to arrive at the edge of the small square to meet a well placed delivery from George Hannigan.

John Flannery stretched the lead with a free in the 38th minute. James Logue replied with a similar score and Adrian Cleere cut the margin to four but Alan Hannigan - who had earlier switched to the attack in move with Padraic O’Meara – came forward to score.

Ballingarry looked in trouble but the introduction of Michael Ivors and Liam Cahill helped strengthen the side and the scores began to arrive with James Logue, Ian Ivors and Michael Ivors finding the target between the 20th and 23rd minutes.

Fire minutes from time, Ballingarry came forward again but James Logue’s free drifted to the right and wide. Seconds later, Adrian Cleere made amends with a clever point. Another close in free to Ballingarry was spoiled and Rovers turned defence into attack with George Hannigan steering the ball to Austin Tierney who converted.

The remaining two minutes had Ballingarry on the attack and in the end they had to settle for a Seanie Cahill free which was too little and the final whistle arrived to see Ballingarry make their exit.

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